Congleton Town 3
Nantwich Town 0
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

CONGLETON TOWN 3 NANTWICH TOWN 0
NWCFL Div 1 - 30 April 2005

Nantwich ended a disappointing season with a disappointing defeat against their Cheshire rivals who banished their relegation worries with what, in the end, was a comfortable victory.
It could have been so different if the Dabbers had turned their first half dominance into goals or, on the stroke of half time, if Danny Griggs' tame spot kick had not been saved after Melvin Daniels had been hauled down in the box.
Of even more concern was the lack of discipline in five minutes of madness in the second half. It came after the strangely out-of-sorts Danny Jarrett had failed to see the ball out of play, allowing Dean Canning to nip in and fire Congleton ahead from a narrow angle ten minutes after the break.
But the Dabbers were very much still in contention until the 70th minute. Then, Matt Bradbury needlessly brought down Scott Williams just inside the penalty area and Dean Canning smacked home the penalty to give The Bears a 2-0 lead. Bradbury was booked for his indiscretion and Jarrett's vociferous complaints to referee Mr Plowright earned him a yellow card. The former Northwich Vics man failed to take heed and he was shown a second yellow for his continuing dissent.
With the visitors' defence still reorganising, Neil O'Brien lost possession on the edge of the area and Scott Williams took full advantage with a clever lob over Danny Read to the back post where Canning had the simple task of heading home his second.
There was never any way back for ten man Nantwich although Phil McGing did well to palm away a blast from Griggs after Matt Blake had powered his way down the left. With safety assured, Congleton were applauded from the park at the final whistle whilst the Dabbers were left to rue their missed chances in the first half which had seen Steve Webb head off the line from Daniels.
Nantwich: Read, O'Brien, Morrison, Jarrett, Bradbury, Newton, Griggs, Blackhurst, Blake, Daniels (W.Allman,80), Bailey (Iglemann,71). Booked: Bradbury (70mins), Jarrett (70mins). Sent Off: Jarrett (70mins).

Match report written by Michael Chatwin